KORESH REJECTS RADIO-PULPIT OFFER ANOTHER MEMBER LEAVES CULT CAMP

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 24, 1993                   TAG: 9303240173
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press
DATELINE: WACO, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Medium
KORESH REJECTS RADIO-PULPIT OFFER ANOTHER MEMBER LEAVES CULT CAMP
Branch Davidian leader David Koresh on Tuesday rejected an offer by federal agents that would have granted him access to his followers and air time on a national Christian radio network if he surrendered, federal officials said.
FBI Special Agent Bob Ricks told reporters that negotiators met face-to-face with Steve Schneider, a high-ranking member of the sect, late Monday and gave him a written proposal in an attempt to resolve the 24-day siege of Koresh's armed compound.
Upon giving himself up, the offer would have allowed Koresh to maintain contact with his followers as long as it did not conflict with jail procedures or the advice of defense attorneys for the group's members.
Koresh also would have been permitted to broadcast his views on the same national Christian radio station that aired an hourlong recorded statement by him two days after the siege began.
Ricks said Koresh rejected the settlement offer shortly after receiving it. "He will probably not be able to get as generous a response from us" in the future, Ricks said.
About 95 people, including 17 children, remained inside the barricaded compound. They have been surrounded by several hundred federal and local officers since Feb. 28, when four Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents were shot to death while trying to serve a search warrant for alleged weapons violations.
Since the siege began, 35 Branch Davidians have surrendered. On Tuesday, another Koresh follower, Livingston Fagan, 23, of Great Britain, left the compound. As were the others, he was was taken into custody as a witness. No court appearance had been set.
From interviews of those who have surrendered, Ricks said, authorities have gotten the impression that the remaining people want to come out, but they must meet with Koresh before they depart.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB